Restaurants, bistros, crêperies, brasseries, pizzerias ...

"But chef, serving table isn't easy without arms ..." "And you think it's easy to cook?"

Instead of "table d'hôte" we have a simple but excellent value restaurant just 200m from our front door, or for something more up-market there are dozens of restaurants at Alençon and two restaurants at Neufchatel -en-Saosnois.

Most restaurants in Alençon open at 7.30pm for evening meals, though there are a few that open earlier. Hover over the restaurant name on the right for opening days.

Ancinnes - walking distance

The "Auberge de la Boule d'Or" is our local bar and restaurant, just two minutes away on foot. It offers good value for money: a choice of three starters and three main courses plus cheese, pudding and coffee for 13,50 euros. They will prepare a simpler children's meal, or a plain omelette as main course for vegetarians if you ask. The décor is not a strong point but for hearty, honest fare a short walk away in a relaxed atmosphere it hits the mark. In the evening you may have the restaurant to yourselves, most trade being lunchtime.

Evening tables can be booked for between 6.00pm and 7.30pm - let us know when you arrive and we'll book for you. We do not book before arrival in case guests are delayed and don't make it in time, though obviously you can book for yourself if you wish.

Closed Sunday and Monday. No cards. Tel. 02.33.26.85.10 to book.

Annual holidays are usually last 2 weekends of August.

Bourg le Roi - 5 mins by car

The "Bistrot de l'Olivier" is just 4km (2.5 mi.)away at Bourg le Roi. Open Friday, Saturday and Sunday lunchtimes, Friday and Saturday evenings. A cheery little family-run bistrot and pizzeria, next door to the village bar. Tel. 02.33.26.68.75 to book a table from 7.30pm onwards.

Restaurants In Alencon

Alençon is just 10 minutes away by car and has a huge choice of restaurants - our recommendations are shown on the map (right). There are also a couple of restaurants at St Paterne just before you get to Alençon.

The Leclerc shopping centre near the A28 Exit 19 has fast food and snack outlets - a very good sandwich bar, a bar-bistro and a Flunch inside the Leclerc building, plus a McDonalds on the roundabout next to the main road.

Neufchatel-en-Saosnois

"Ma Maison" at Neufchatel-en-Saosnois, 10 mins by car, has fabulous food and eccentric bohemian decor (but probably not suitable for young children). Starters about 10 euros, main courses 15-20 euros, dessert 6 euros. From France tel. 02 43 97 74 19. Open every evening Wednesday to Sunday - opening time 8.00pm.

Also at Neufchatel is "Les Etangs de Guibert", another excellent restaurant in a nice setting overlooking a wooded lake. Menus 20-38 euros. From France tel. 02 43 97 15 38. Open Tuesday to Saturday midday and evening, plus Sunday lunchtime.